Agility is a community sport. You can train at home with your own equipment, but the path to competition — and to improvement — runs through a club. Clubs provide facility access, training classes, trial opportunities, mentorship from experienced handlers, and the shared culture that makes this sport so addictive.
Here's how to find the right club and what to expect when you join.
How to Find Agility Clubs Near You
| Method | What to Search |
|---|---|
| AKC Club Search | AKC website → "Clubs" → "Find a Club" (filter for agility) |
| UKI Club Finder | UK Agility International website → "Find a Group" |
| Facebook Groups | Search "[city] dog agility" or "[state] agility" |
| Trial entry sites | Look at who hosts trials in your region (Club Agility, EntryExpress, etc.) |
| Ask at a trial | Attend a local trial as a spectator and ask competitors where they train |
What Different Clubs Offer
Not all clubs are the same. Before joining, understand what the club provides:
- Training facility: Does the club have their own building/field, or do they rent space? Indoor vs outdoor affects your ability to train year-round in harsh climates.
- Equipment: Do they have full competition-grade equipment? Some clubs have minimal gear and members must bring their own.
- Classes: What classes are offered? Foundation, intermediate, advanced? Are classes taught by experienced competitors or just senior members?
- Open training: Do members get facility access outside of scheduled classes for practice?
- Trials: Does the club host trials? Members often get priority entry and volunteer requirements.
- Membership requirements: What are you expected to contribute? Volunteering, work weekends, committee participation?
Evaluating a Club Before Joining
Ask to audit a class before joining. Watch:
- Are training methods positive and force-free?
- Do students seem to be progressing?
- Do members actually compete, or do they just train indefinitely?
- Is the club culture welcoming to newcomers, or cliquey?
- How is the facility maintained — is equipment safe and in good repair?
Typical Membership Structure
| Tier | What's Typical | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Associate/Student | Classes only; no voting rights; no open training | $30–$75/year |
| Regular Member | Full access, open training, voting, volunteer obligations | $75–$200/year |
| Family Member | Multiple handlers sharing one membership | $100–$250/year |
Classes are typically charged separately from membership — expect $100–$200 per 6–8 week class session on top of your annual dues.
What Clubs Expect From You
Most agility clubs are volunteer-run. Joining means participating:
- Work weekends: Setup and teardown for club trials
- Ring crew: Bar setting, leash running, timing, scribing at trial
- Committee work: Some clubs require sitting on a committee
- Events: Fun matches, training days, social events
This is not a burden — it's how you learn the sport from the inside and build relationships with the people who will become your training community for years. Volunteering at a trial teaches you more about agility than almost anything else.
What If There's No Club Near You?
Rural handlers sometimes have no local club within a reasonable drive. Options include:
- Drive to the nearest club for classes, even if infrequent
- Online training programs through Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, OneMind Dogs, Susan Garrett's Say Yes program
- Build a backyard setup and find a training partner or small training group
- Attend seminars when top trainers visit your region
Whether you're running through a club or going independent, Barkloop is designed for every agility competitor — tracking your results across AKC, UKI, AAC, and more in one place.